Unfortunate saga : Indian Politics

India is my country.

All Indians are my brothers and sisters.

I love my country and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.

I shall strive to be worthy of it.

I shall respect my parents, teachers and all elders and treat everyone with courtesy.

To my country and all my people, I pledge my devotion.

In their well-being and prosperity alone lies my happiness.

Jai Hind.

Remember this? One of starting pages of our school diary. Whenever my father would boast that my son can speak English and wanted me to give a demo, I would immediately without a breath blabber this pledge out with my hand straightened out. Whatever be my speed, I actually meant every word of the pledge that I took every morning in my school’s assembly premises. Truly speaking, as a kid I used to take pride in being a part of this country and its rich and varied heritage. But lately, as I have become more aware of the society and the way it functions, sad to say but my love for India has a bit deteriorated. I remember, once my conversation with a friend got so intense that I hit him just because he was speaking bad about India. Today, when I recline and think about the same, I realize that he was probably right and I wrong.

Today, I am not feeling very great about this whole politics thing. I am not very strong at Political Science, but I am not very ignorant too. Let us talk about some of the great politicians that our country has produced. Mayawati ji, the Mahamaya who likes getting her statues erected in public parks. Who on earth does that? Madam, are you trying to imitate Saddam Hussain? He is not the right person to be followed. Choose some other idol. Please don’t do this with the public money, we will erect your statues and garland them every year in case you do enough to the state to command that sort of respect. The ground rule remains the same, “Respect is not demanded. Respect is commanded”. Another similar example is Jayalalitha, who got her photo printed on the laptop her party workers distributed to the students. They could not get the party logo on the laptop because Jayalalitha herself covered the whole space and left none for the logo. Do you really think such people who are so obsessed with being CM can actually do justice to their position and power? Anyways, I like Mayawati, the only thing I like about her is that she did not marry to produce another of her breed. Then there is Master Akhilesh ji, trying to imitate Rahul, both of them striving to be youth icon. I consider Raghu from Roadies to be a better youth icon than these two. These people are actually incapable of doing anything that pertains to ruling a state. I unfortunately, being a native of Etawah, UP has to bear their governance.

So, Akhilesh is now talking of a third front, bhaisahab! your dad is too old now. I know you are doing all this for your respected dad, but the truth is that he has -0% chances of being PM. Please concentrate on your career and hoarding money because next time it’s Mayawati’s turn to be the CM. You’ll need some money then to continue with the same lifestyle for the next 5 years. Just see Mayawati, does she give you the slightest hint that she is not in power? No, right?? Because she was intelligent and has a lot in reserves to survive till death. You suspended an honest IAS officer with the explanation that she was demolishing something that could spark communal violence. Sir, it will take you another life to even mug up the index of the books that she has read. She is far more learned and wise than you and your sand mafia’s whole generation combined together. Please bring some sense to your actions. We expect a lot of you. And a good news for you, Mayawati’s demand for 4 partitions of UP!!! This ways, all 4 major parties in UP (SP, BSP, BJP and Congress) get to rule and every supremo gets to become the CM. This is actual “Divide and Rule”.

Rahul sir, sachchi bolu, Sonia ji by now should have told you “Beta tum rehne do, tumse na ho paayega”. You are too young and immature to be the PM of this country. I think you should chill out in some foreign country, spend time on beaches and do whatever you want to. I am sure your mom can send you enough pocket money to enjoy all the luxuries in the world. Everyone actually makes fun of you. You are the Abhishek Bachchan of Indian Politics, riding on your parents’ success. You are simply not politics material; there are some basic elements other than being corrupt that are needed to be a perfect chor. Just look at Manmohan ji, he is so smart. Just because he cannot control his tongue, he does utter a single word till he is in public eye. I know you are too naughty to listen to your mom, so please get the fuck out of here and take Robert Vadra along. He too is doing us a lot of harm.

BJP, aap bhi koi bahut seedhe nahi ho. Please stop politicizing every damn topic, but then everyone does that. I know you are about to finish with your bank reserves and need to come to power once to survive another good time in case you lose to Congress again.

Coming back to India and taking pride in it, I want to feel the same as I did in my childhood. My grandfather and father both served defense services and they recite stories of the wars that they were a part of. If a common man who is just trying to make a living can be so true to his duty, why can not a person who has been nominated by public do so? I know, I do not vote and hence do have a right to comment on them. But then, if I do not cast for the correct person I also do not cast for the wrong person. I am not able to think of a solution right now as to how a common man will get off these shackles of slumber or will he die a slow death amid the so called the largest democracy in the world, India.

PS : They are my own views and I do not mean to hurt anybody's political sentiments.

What an idea, Godji!

“What’s your take on Ayodhya verdict?” pinged me one of my juniors on Facebook chat. I went blank and could not think of a sensible answer instantaneously, so by the time I could make up an answer, I asked him the same question back. He seemed to be satisfied with what the three bench judge had passed. I thought after the verdict came, it would be over, but to my surprise the whole blogosphere was flooded with reviews on the verdict. Bloggers are busy making passionate calls for maintaining peace and harmony, the whole of cyberspace is flooded with tweets and blogs for peace within minutes after the long awaited Ayodhya verdict. I know I am doing the same but it’s just a written matter that is not related but written by one man and hence united.

In my opinion, this verdict was a test of religious tolerance. The judgment seems to have been decided in favor of Hindus and Muslims praying together, which is the hallmark of our composite culture. It seems judges have gone the extra-mile in trying to settle the case and also come up with a workable formula where no side gets absolutely heartbroken or feeling that there is any sort of injustice with them.  Sincere thanks to the public who themselves want to come out of the shackles of communal riots which have taken a lot of lives by now. Some say judges made a “diplomatic” judgment, where no one lost and no one won.

TV channels are making the scene worse. I have been avoiding watching news channels, but does it help. No!!! I think the noise decibels were getting to me. Does shouting out the news or questions/ comments make everything more credible? Most news anchors certainly seem to think so. Both TV and print media simply try to make the conditions worse by arousing the emotions. Like the next day TOI said, two parts went to Hindus and one to Muslims. It could have been presented a different way too. It is not expected of them. I wonder why they try to play tricks and give a wrong view to the public. A Newspaper reflects society and hence is expected not to misinterpret the verdict. No harm with that as long as the people remain peaceful. I hope that all sorts of media live up to our expectations.

Whatever be the restriction imposed by the authorities, the virtual world literally experienced the meaning of “freedom of expression”. They had no reservation in mocking and making fun of politicians, media and even the judiciary. Interesting, most of the blogs were spreading peace and harmony rather than hatred. One of the bloggers declares IIPM to be the rightful owners of the land. The blog mentions IIPM to own the land much before Mughals invaded India , forget Britishers, further mentions IIPM’s legacy to date back to days of Nalanda-Taxila and affirms to possess banner-ads as proofs. Funny, ain’t it? Some guarantee a better judgment than three of our esteemed qualified judges, they recommend a hospital to be made in lieu of mandir or masjid, which will serve the general public without any sort of discrimination. I liked a suggestion, which I would like to share with you. It was building of a structure which is probably visited by every sect in India, be it a Hindu or a Muslim. It is like every other religious place, where the respective religion is practiced. But it pertains to a religion which is followed unanimously by every Indian citizen. So, the religion I am talking about is cricket, and its temple is cricket stadium. It doesn’t sound feasible as the place of contention holds a lot of religious significance.

It’s time to stop acting like fools, and think like a human, a responsible citizen, for the prosperity and development of the nation. Let no one be compelled to prove his/her patriotism alone. Why should a single community suffer when all pay the same taxes, when all are governed by the same institution. It was one of the most awaited judgments in known history. Though people are satisfied with the verdict, but the fact that this dispute has invoked unprecedented frenzy and passion in the past, it was expected that no judgment can completely satisfy any of the sides. Everyone should hope that the issue is over. This, our motherland, gives equal shelter to people speaking different languages and following different faiths. After all, Ayodhya means “a place of no war”, and hence another bloodshed or conflict over the issue in future is not expected.

Under the Table

Hello everyone.....

We Indians, feel proud of being an Indian and so do I. I am happy and feel proud for the history we own, the present and the future as well. The pace of development has been extraordinary, better than any other country. But sometimes I feel sad about something, though its not being committed publicly but its slowly eating away the country. Corruption!!!

Being a native of India, it is very well known to us. We know that there are some rules other than the rules. Do not try to act differently as if you are a revolutionist, do what others do. We know that rules and regulations look good in rule books and public boards, they are not meant to be followed. What we need to follow is not decided by us but by the government officials we face in the process. Since India is a democratic country, almost every department is public. Corruption and hypocrisy ought not to be inevitable products of democracy, as they undoubtedly are today. Hence you can not avoid them. I myself, have had many experiences when I have tasted the flavor of the Indian Procedural System.

The most disquieting aspect of the widespread corruption in India is the fact that it is not anymore confined to politicians or the government machinery alone. It is prevalent amongst almost every section of the society at every level. Today, if one would say that any particular Indian is honest to the core, it could only be a case of exception rather than a rule.

The study of world phenomenon on corruption has repeatedly branded India as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Unfortunately, this view has not disturbed most of the Indians at all and they do not seem to care as to what others think of them; so long as the existing systems and practices would allow them to make money and get things done in one way or the other.

As the practice of corruption is a dishonest act, one has to think that most of the Indians are dishonest, which could be different only in degree between the individuals. As the reason for the dishonesty is greediness and the desire to get things done at any cost one can think that most of the country men are greedy and do not anymore think that the means should justify the ends. This is not a flattering statement and many readers would desire that it would not be so and such statement could have been avoided. But, the fact is that most of the Indians are involved in corrupt practices in one way or the other, either due to greed or due to so called compulsion. In any case, the willingness to sacrifice for the sake of not getting involved in corrupt dealings is conspicuous by its absence amongst the most.

Earlier it was a bit difficult to adapt with it, but later on I learnt that its better to keep quite and go as per their way. There has been a fixed way or getting everything done for years in a government office. People have a different rule book, and try to follow it as it proves to be the best. I mean, I challenge you try going against the system and try getting the desired thing within time.

It will be much easy to get the desired thing done, if you know that Indian hands and mind work only when injected with a sufficient amount of fuel and that too “Under the table”. The cost depending on the intensity or the requirement of particular thing. For example, you are caught on a road by a traffic policemen, multiply your crimes by a 100 rupee note and pay him. Every man has his price. He won't even warn you and leave you free. And these policemen are so shameless, that if you are good at bargaining, you can bring down a cost of 300 rupees to 30 rupees. They won't hesitate, in accepting that too.

If not Olympics, India is at least top-rated in some list, and its the corruption list. As per the recently released list by Transparency International, India was ranked 84th in the list of 180 countries. We project ourselves as one of foremost competitor for very coveted positions, like being permanent member of UN Security Council or nuclear deals with various developed countries. But we fail in amending our morals and basics, taking the country down to a cesspool where there is nothing other then failure.

The most disquieting aspect of the widespread corruption in India is the fact that it is not anymore confined to politicians or the government machinery alone. It is prevalent amongst almost every section of the society at every level. The introduction of RTI, i.e. Right to Information Act has provided a very significant boost to common people to ask for their rights and question the government officials, in case there is any sort of delay in the process.
Now the big question arises, that is how do get rid of it. The answer is simple, enjoy your rights and follow your duties and I guarantee you that India, a true Indian imagines of, is not a far sight. Do not be a part of such an act because if not you, somebody else is there who has to suffer finally. Be proud to be an Indian and act like a true Indian.

Remember, "respect is not demanded, its commanded."